Havelock-Belmont Public School in Havelock has been closed because of a COVID-19 outbreak, with 10 cases now confirmed at the school.
According to an email sent to parents and staff from principal Tania Lamond on Tuesday afternoon (October 5), the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has made the decision — in consultation with Peterborough Public Health — to close the school to in-person learning effective immediately.
“This decision will help prevent spread of COVID-19 within the school,” Lamond says.
“Today we learned of five more positive cases, for a total of 10 cases at the school,” Lamond says. “Four of these new cases are from a previously dismissed class and one case is within a new cohort. At this time, evidence of transmission within the school is limited to one cohort. All other cases did not acquire COVID-19 within the school.”
Lamond says all students will transition to virtual learning until further notice, until at least Friday, October 15th.
She adds classroom teachers will contact families with instructions to begin the transition to virtual learning and will discuss technology needs for students.
Lamond says Peterborough Public Health will continue to contact anyone identified as close contacts on self-isolation requirements.
“All students and staff should self-monitor for COVID-19 signs and symptoms,” Lamond says.
She adds the health unit is recommending that all staff and students with possible COVID-19 symptoms get tested to identify any additional cases in the school.
